The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire on 25 Mar 2011 was New York City’s worst industrial disaster. The company management had a practice of keeping the doors of the workrooms locked from the outside in order to prevent theft.
When a fire broke out on the 9th and 10th floors that day workers who couldn’t escape before stairways became unusable had to choose between dying in the fire or jumping from the 9th or 10th floors. One hundred and forty-eight people died that day. Over a century later garment workers are still dying due to inadequate safety practices by the industry.
The Chevron Richmond Refinery Fire took place on 6 August 2012. A leak of light gas oil from a corroded insulated carbon steel pipe, originally installed in 1976, operating at temperature of 640 degrees Fahrenheit resulted in massive hydrocarbon explosion. There were no immediate fatalities, however emergency rooms were flooded with people suffering from respiratory distress due to the smoke generated by the fire. Replacement of the pipe that failed had been recommended in 2002 after a similar incident at the Chevron Refinery. That recommendation was never carried out. That pipe was never inspected again. Another recommendation to inspect every segment of high risk carbon steel piping for corrosion was issued in 2009 by Chevron experts. Some sections were examined, and some were replaced in 2011, but not all pipes at risk. Corrosion resistant alloys are available. Instead of trying to examine and place a clamp over the leak, while the unit was in operation, the unit should have been shut down when the leak was first noticed.
Reactive Hazards: Dangers of Uncontrolled Chemical Reactions
There were 167 serious industrial accidents in the United States from 1987-2001. Runaway chemical reactions are perfectly preventable, however more than half are not covered under federal process safety regulations.
In 2008, major methylisocyanate leak in the United States of America from the Bayer CropScience facility in Institute, WV. This was nearly a quarter century after the world’s worst industrial accident in 1984, the Union Carbide Gas Disaster in Bhopal. We All Live in Bhopal..
Growing your own food is revolutionary. This film offers inspiration for transforming your urban space into a place for cultivating your own freedom and health. Less reliance on chemicals presumably translates into fewer chemical disasters.
National Academy of Science, Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology made recommendations on Inherently Safer Process Assessment. Industry experts describe 4 major ways to reduce the incidents of major chemical disasters: minimize the use of hazardous substances, substitute more dangerous chemicals with less toxic ones, moderate process conditions of temperatures, pressures, and amounts in manufacturing processes, and simplify processes which are less prone to failure. It is an approach that builds in safety features, not adding them on, to prevent accidents and mitigate the impact when they do occur.
“Toxic”, a short film directed by Rohit Khanna and produced by Abhishek Saxena in 2009 describes the second and third generation effects of the world’s largest industrial disaster, The Union Carbide Gas Disaster of 1984 in Bhopal, India.
Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.
Cartoon courtesy of Gustavo Rodriguez www.garrinchatoonz.com
An “African proverb” says, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
This week’s action item is to reach out to a friend or family member on Friday. Contact someone you haven’t talked to in the last month, or the last year, because you were just too busy. Pick up the phone and dial their number. Leave a voice message instead of sending a text message. Texting is the lowest form of communication. Even ESP is more accurate!
Take note of how you feel after you have had a conversation with that person, preferably face to face, but at least voice to voice. Find the satisfaction about any aspect of that moment and savor the feeling. Let it simmer and inspire you to repeat frequently
Let me know in the comments below how taking this action feels to you. I look forward to hearing how each of us goes far together with our friends.
Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.
Cartoon courtesy of Gustavo Rodriguez www.garrinchatoonz.com
We have come to the point in the year when we have stopped wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Many of us are back to the rhythm of our daily routine, including an unruly government that had shut itself down after reading the first draft of this post.
The stress and responsibilities of life may be ramping up again, and the post-holiday blues may be getting you down. You may even be berating yourself if you’ve started to waver on the resolutions you made a few weeks ago to improve your life in small or big ways. Admonishing oneself is rarely the road to success. Keep in mind, of those who make them, about half people succeed in their New Year’s Resolutions, and the other half don’t.
Which is more motivating, self-discipline or dedication to making the changes you want to see in yourself? Are you more likely to feel inspired to continue forth if you are feeling self-critical or if you are relaxed and well-rested?
This week’s action item is to give yourself a break. Find a hole in your schedule and use that time to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. No television, reading, online chatting, internet surfing, chores or even socializing with friends. Just be quiet for an hour this week and see how that feels to you. If you can’t find a hole in your schedule, create one. Cancel a meeting that isn’t mandatory, skip that television program that eats an hour out of your day, or decline an invitation you could postpone until next week.
Let me know in the comments below how taking this action of inaction feels to you. Were you re-energized and more motivated as a result? Did unexpected feelings arise? I am eager to hear from you and as always, I am rooting for you.
Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.
Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.
Members of the U.S. Congress are on recess this month through Labor Day (September 7). This is a great time to make your voice heard on the importance of protecting families who receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Meeting face-to-face is the most effective action you can take to influence your members of Congress. Make a Difference – Schedule Face-to-Face Meetings with Your Members of Congress.
Find contact information for the district office of your member of Congress through the RESULTS website (under “Staff” tab). You can also call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your representative’s/senator’s office.
I just did it. I sent my senators emails. It was the easiest thing ever. Thanks to RESULTS for making it so easy.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) helped hardworking families make ends meet; they lifted 9.4 million people out of poverty in 2013, including 5 million children (Access data for your State .)
Despite the success of these pro-work tax credits, 16 million Americans, including million children, could fall into or deeper into poverty if Congress does not save key EITC and CTC provisions.
Are you interested in learning more about fighting poverty but you’re not sure where to begin? Learn more about RESULTS by joining us for an introductory call, signing up for action alerts, or reading up on our latest campaigns. YOU can be a voice for change and challenge the systems that create poverty around the world!
Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.
“Living in an Unfinished America: Shared Experiences of Discrimination and Resilience by Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Americans,”
Pogonophobia is the irrational, persistent and often unwarranted fear of beards. The word is derived from Greek pogon (beard) and phobos (fear).
The San Francisco Human Rights Commission and The Women’s Building will host a community photo project on Islamophobia and post-9/11 ethnic and racial discrimination. The project, entitled “Living in an Unfinished America: Shared Experiences of Discrimination and Resilience by Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Americans,” showcases the lived experiences of community members through photography and narrative.
The project will be on display at
The Women’s Building 3543 18th St #8, San Francisco, CA 94110 Wednesday, August 12th from 5-8pm. 415-431-1180
City and community leaders will provide remarks at 6pm.
Members of the public are invited to attend. Everyone is welcome!
Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.
Good Films are a Social Action Educational Opportunity
The SF Jewish Film Festival is here and there are some worthwhile films on Israel/Palestine issues. Some offer historical background or a vision of coexistence. Others address the problems Palestinians face in regard to the occupation. None of them affirm the status quo. The Festival’s leadership continues to show courage. All of these films are listed under a heading called “Bridges and Barriers”.
The film screenings are already underway so Ready, Set, Go! see one or some or all of them! The shows remaining are as follows:
“This soulful documentary beautifully captures the human cost of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict……Co-directors Chen Shelach and Duki Dror give us reason to believe that the world might look different if women and mothers were calling the shots.”
This is what peace looks like in the hands of musicians featuring Israeli singer/songwriter David Broza, Grammy-winning Steve Earle, Palestinian Israeli singer Mira Awad (Arab Labor) and Iraqi Israeli Yair Dalal.
Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.
Join Idle No More SF Bay and the Bay Area Refinery Corridor Coalition for the fourth of four healing walks along the refinery corridor in the Northeast San Francisco Bay on 19 July 2015.
The walks are led by a sacred Native American staff, Native Americans and others in prayer for safe jobs, clean air, water and soil, and the future of life on Mother Earth’s belly. Those in prayer will be followed by those in contemplation and conversation. 8:00 a.m. Water Ceremony & Registration 9:30 a.m. Walk Begins
The walk will begin at Lone Tree Park in Rodeo, and end at Keller Beach in Point Richmond.
There are several places along the walk where folks can join the walk by calling
Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.
Refinery Corridor Healing Walk, Saturday, 20 June 2015
Please join a non-violent walk led by Native American Elders in Prayer for:
– Clean Air, Water & Soil
– Safe Jobs, Roads, Railroads & Waterways
– A Vibrantly Healthy Future for All Children
– A Just Transition to Safe & Sustainable Energy
The walk begins at Ninth Street Park in Benicia, CA
8:00 a.m. Water Ceremony & Registration
9:30 a.m. Walk Begins There are several places along the walk where folks can join the walk – please see the details of the route below.
The walk will end at Lone Street Park in Rodeo,CA
Please feel free to join us for the prayers for the water at 8:00 a.m. Feel free to bring a small bottle of water from your area to join the waters in the Rodeo.
Registration for the walk will begin at 8:00 a.m. Walkers will be asked to agree to the Nonviolent Principles. For details on what to bring/not bring, please go to “What To Expect” in the tabs above.
This walk is approximately 14 miles from beginning to end. There will be vehicles available for people who wish to take breaks during the walk. Medics will also be available. Water will be provided –Please bring your own refillable water bottle.
For more information on the Healing Walk, check out the web site and please RSVP at:
Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.
Take stock of the products you are applying on your own skin
Use the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep interactive data base to check the toxicity of your own personal care products and consciously make less toxic choices. Take action now. Ready, Steady, Go!
Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.
